Cumbria has a serial killer loose that has been burning their victims inside the county’s ancient stone circles. After the third body is found, the National Crime Agency (NCA) sees that the victim had a name cut into their chest. Acting Inspector Stephanie Flynn and old friend of Washington Poe goes to try to talk him into returning to the squad and help to find the killer. When he rejects her proposal, she tells him he needs to go into protective custody. He wants to know why, it's then that she then reveals what was carved into the third victim of the immolation man. Poe then agrees to help. This is going to be a fantastic series with brilliant characters. Poe returns to the tram with the rank of sergeant. His old sergeant is now his boss, DI Stephanie Flynn, Poe wouldn’t have it any other way. Poe is a little unorthodox, to say the least, with his investigations and doesn’t at all mind taking on the local constabulary. Much of the story takes place up in Cumbria. The author's description of the bleak landscape where Poe lives and the unpredictability of the weather sounds like an interesting place to visit.... but I wouldn't want to live there. Overall... The Puppet Show is an excellent mystery/thriller that will probably leave the reader guessing, at least I was pretty much in the dark, until the big reveal. It’s well written with lots of twists and turns and a whole lot of action. Be aware that there are also some quite gruesome parts as well. I loved the characters...especially Poe and Tilly. They will do anything for each other. Tilly provides the much-needed lighter touches to the story. I don't usually recommend books since there is so much different interests even in the same genres, but I believe die-hard mystery/thriller fans will really like this one. ( )

Washington Poe is a quirky detective who has been reinstated to solve a serial murder that literally has his name on it.; the latest victim has Poe's name cut into him before being burned to death. It is up to Poe to discover what the victims have in common and why he himself was targeted. His sidekick Tilly is an awkward woman with a high IQ and an invaluable ability to find information and make connections. The two of them join forces in unconventional and unapproved ways that lead them in unexpected directions. ( )

This is a belter of a debut novel and I am already burning (hahaha) for the next in the series! The main characters are so well written and fleshed out that you cant help but like them, especially Tilly. For me she stole the show!

Poe makes an interesting addition to the literary world of detectives, he’s not your typical detective, with his quirks, a tendency to bends the rules and going his own way, teamed up with Tilly and her own quirks they make a unique crime fighting team who at times had me laughing out loud 🙂

As you can guess from the book’s description there are some fairly gruesome scenes throughout the book but not written with the soul intention to gross you out but shows the killers descent into depravity. But these murders are happening for a reason just as surely as Poe’s connection to the case and although there are hints and clues throughout the book, however the ending was still a bit of a shock!

There is a twist at the end that I certainly didn’t see coming and with some of the big reveals they could so easily be a reality in today’s society and one that leave Poe with a moral dilemma that will leave you thinking for a good while after finishing the book.

If you enjoy gritty police procedurals, a touch of the macabre, horror or serial killer thrillers then this is a book for you!

The Puppet Show was published on the 7th June 2018 ( )

First off, I do not tend to read serial killer novels. But, here, I made an exception and it was worth my time. If you feel the same way about serial killers, I urge you to reconsider this time too.
While often serial killer novels focus on a psychotic, all-knowing, ultra-evil antagonist, Craven focuses much more on the investigators and delves into their characters as they chase their killer. There is a good bit on the investigative procedure that also adds heft to the narrative, which is capably rolled out to the reader.
M.W. Craven is an emerging talent and I look forward to future entries in this series. ( )

3.5 stars ( )